High Road/Low Road 08.07.09: Chris Masters Back On RAW

Posted by Chad Nevett on 08.07.2009

Yes, the Masterpiece is back and we want your thoughts on the latest return to RAW. Plus the McCool debate rumbles on. Go on, click the link. You know you want to...

Welcome back to the High Road/Low Road!

A brief explanation of the column: Sat takes the High Road (positive view) on angles, gimmicks, and other wrestling related "stuff" while Uncletrunx takes the Low Road (negative view).

Results for Tazz in TNA:

High Road: 14%
Low Road: 72%
Both Roads: 14%

Chris Masters Back In The WWE

High Road:

While the RAW's main event scene needs some serious help, I think the mid card division is in very good shape. The mid card division was crowded before Chris Masters' arrival and his addition crowds the mid card division. I am really hoping that the crowded mid card division allows some wrestlers to be elevated to the main event scene.

Low Road:

If the main event scene needs work but the midcard is fine, why bring in another midcarder? What needs to happen is the elevation of some talent, not the further crowding of the middle of the card. As I said last week with Tazz, what does Masters offer that they don't already have?

High Road:

I have always been a fan of Chris Masters' finishing maneuver. I like the Masterlock because it is a move that has not been used as a finisher that much and the fact that it was built up as a legitimate finisher by the WWE. Also, the Masterlock was broken by Bobby Lashley, but I don't see the WWE mentioning that fact. Plus, with Chris Masters' return we get to see the return of the Masterlock challenge. The Masterlock challenge has always been a favorite of mine because it is something that can be utilized to start/extend a feud without having the wrestlers get involved in the ring.

Low Road:

There's a reason why the full nelson hasn't been used as a finisher since about 1990, and it's the same reason moves like bodyslams are no longer finishers; in 2009, they are routinely used as preliminary holds and are not believable as finishers. The Masterlock was quite well built last time Masters was around but it has been broken and by one of TNA's wrestlers at that. If WWE tries to build up the Masterlock again or uses the Masterlock challenge, you can bet TNA will mention it. As such, I really can't see WWE using it again.

High Road:

I remember reading how Chris Masters was one of the top searches on yahoo. I don't see this leading to a huge push for Chris Masters, but I do think that it shows that the fans are interested in what Chris Masters has been up to since his departure.

Low Road:

A mild interest on the internet is not going to lead to a sustained interest. I can't see Masters coming in at anything higher than mid card level and Raw is already full of midcarders. There is a part of me that wonders if they haven't signed him up just so TNA can't.

High Road:

In Chris Masters' previous WWE run, he showed that he could have a good match. Since his departure, he has wrestled in the Japan. I think the odds are good that he has improved since his last run and hopefully the WWE gives him a chance to prove himself.

Low Road:

Japan will undoubtedly have improved his wrestling. However, I don't think his wrestling ability is why he will have been signed. I think that he's a "body". We all know that Vince will push a "body" for preference; I only hope he's improved enough to justify whatever push he'll get.

High Road:

While Chris Masters is not the greatest promo cutter, he is better than most of the current WWE roster. In general, most of Chris Masters' promo are decent, but he is capable of getting a good promo. One of Chris Masters' good promos that comes to mind is the one that he cut after the SummerSlam that featured Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels.

Low Road:

He's ok at best. Promos are not why he has been hired, and I don't feel he adds much in that regard to the current roster.

High Road:

In his previous run with the WWE, the WWE showed faith in him. Two things that come to mind for me is the feud with Shawn Michaels and the Elimination Chamber WWE Title match. While he was released the last time because of wellness problems, I think the odds are good that the WWE will continue to show faith in him.

Low Road:

At least, until he fails some more wellness tests and vanishes for a year or so. As I mentioned above, I really don't see what he offers that they don't already have. Why they don't show as much faith to more solid workers who perhaps don't have such large physiques is… well, obvious I suppose. It's always been that way and probably always will. The signing of Masters is just another indicator of the WWE policy of look over ability.

High Road:

A minor high road here, but it should be mentioned. Chris Masters' return was a surprise and that is always nice to say. We all knew that he was coming back, but I was expecting it to be in a few months.

Low Road:

I'll concede the point; it was a surprise. However, I don't see him adding much to an already crowded mid card, other than a decent look. He might've made more of an impact on Smackdown or ECW but on RAW, he adds very little and will probably get lost in the shuffle.

Are you taking the High Road or the Low Road?

High Road
Low Road
Both Roads
OR

Simply write "High Road", "Low Road", or "Both Roads" in the comment section.

E-Mails:

These are all of the e-mails that we received this week. We do not respond to the actual e-mail, but the reply to your e-mail will be below.

Jake Corbet Writes:

Absolutely Low Road with Taz. Whatever he brings, he takes away more. It's been said over and over .. but it's still true. All the younger guys are behing held down, especially by the continual influx of WWE Castoffs. Taz isn't even a castoff that can wrestle. He's being brought in .. to do promos? How are the younger guys supposed to get better at mic work, if they don't get the chance to do it? Joe can do his own mic work .. sure he's not great at it, but the only way he's going to get better, is by doing it. In this instance, TNA is just hurting themselves by bringing Taz in. Especially since they haven't even tried to keep the whole secret advisor thing "real". Days after Taz debuts, he goes and says he just met Joe that Sunday (or whatever day it was) .. but supposedly he's been the advisor for weeks now? Way to keep kayfabe up. If he can't even manage to do that .. what is Taz bringing to the table?

Pros.
-Good Promos
-Established Name

Cons.
-Broke Kayfabe in first 3 days
-Can't wrestle anymore
-Can't really announce while he's got this MEM thing going on
-He's taking valuable screen time away from younger guys who need it.
-Joe doesn't really "need" an advisor .. he needs a simpler gimmick, not an advisor to explain this confusing convoluted crap that no one likes. Making it more confusing is not going to get him over again.

So .. if my math is right .. clearly there are far more cons than pros here. This isn't rocket science. TNA could be so much more .. they have the potential right there. They have the talent, they have the people. I think the reason people hate TNA so much is mostly because we hate seeing such wasted opportunity. They could challenge Vince and the WWE if they'd pull their heads out of their asses and actually focus on what works. Stop being stupid and gimmicky, and go back to basics .. you know, back when TNA was great and fresh. Not tired and old.

Sat: I'll agree with the fact that Joe does not need an advisor.

Uncletrunx: I think the last "con" is telling. Simple and understandable is more likely to work than over complicated and hard to fathom.

Ron Larsen Writes:

When you people learn to spell TAZ I'll read your articles. I jumped over them to get to this email link.

Sat: Where to begin with this retarded email. I wonder what his email would have said if he had spelled Tazz with three "z's" or maybe no "z's".

Uncletrunx: Tazz has been written both ways in his career and as such I feel that either is legitimate when discussing him. If you refuse to read the column for something so minor and frankly irrelevant, then I'm not going to lose too much sleep over your absence.

David Amos Writes:

Gotta be the high road for Taz, I think behind the scenes, he is the man to get Joe back to the full on killing machine, and get him back into the ring shape he was round the time of the 3 ways with Styles and Daniels...Plus his style and intensity he had, he can help Joe big time

Sat: This is the last comment/email I am responding to for the week and I think I'll just state this. TNA should just go ahead and put him in the booth.

Uncletrunx: I'm not sure that Tazzz is needed to get Joe back to the "old" Joe. That persona needed no "advisor" and I don't think adding one now is the answer.

Comments:

Below are the comments for last week's columns and our responses. Every comment will not be included because it makes our lives a lot easier. The comments section was last looked at on Sunday Afternoon Pacific Time.

The Gold Standard Writes:

Low Road. Outside of a possibility of him announcing just another example of TNA giving up guys of today and tomorrow(Petey Williams, Sonjay Dutt) for guys from yesteryear(Tazz).

Sat: I think TNA made a mistake in letting those guys gone, but it wasn't it because they wanted to bring in some fresh faces and they did that with the British Invasion.

Uncletrunx: The British Invasion aren't really the issue here. Keeping their home made stars and bringing in new guys to face them is surely the way to go, with occasional additions from stars of the past to help build them up. As it is, TNA is getting rid of its own guys to get in more new guys, but the main event remains bloated with WWE cast offs and stars of yesteryear.

BobbyC Writes:

Low Road. I just don't see how this move benefits anyone - Joe, TNA or Taz.

Joe had turned into a decent promo guy - so he doesn't need a manager to help in that regard. Plus - if he's associated with the MEM - he can simply be the muscle and not have to talk.

This doesn't help TNA since Taz's best attribute NOW is behind the mike. He might get a few minutes of TV time - but unless he becomes permanent behind the mike, he's being underutilized.

And other than TNA's schedule - Taz has done himself no favors if he ever expects to come back to the WWE. Especially with people "as disposable" as announcers, I can't see Vince clamoring to bring back this "defector" into a main announcing role for years after Taz leaves TNA.

BTW - I try to write these without reading your comments, so I apologize if some of this is repetitive. And thanks for the thumbs up from my comments last week. If I was more of a wrestling geek, I'd be sending my e-mails in trying to replace some of the dopes on here (not either of you guys though).

Sat: I agree with the comment about Tazz not getting another chance in the WWE. You deserved a thumbs up last week because that would have made a great high road.

Uncletrunx: Indeed, it was a good point. I think the point about Tazzz burning his bridges with WWE is also a good point.

Code Red Writes:

That defence of Michelle McCool is correct. I am in a minority who enjoys her work. I think it is so cruel how people can badmouth her and make mean jokes about her (her name, her looks, dating the Undertaker, etc). Michelle is a kind, talented, hardworking, dedicated woman who entered WWE for the right reason...to become a wrestler!! That was her goal, she didn't just fall into wrestling like so many other Divas who still suck at it (Maria, Maryse). And so what if it was through the Diva Search? Jackie Gayda was a Tough Enough winner, but proved to be one of the worst wrestlers ever.

If she was using her "stroke"/Undertaker to get a push, then why has she improved so much in the ring? A real opportunist would be the kind who would coast through their contract, not caring to work hard and have a crap attitude. Michelle grabbed whatever WWE has given her and has returned the favour by becoming one of the top 5 or 6 best women wrestlers in the WWE.

As for those who say she can't get over and has no character, tell me this-how many Divas apart from Mickie James is truly over anyway? Except for her NO Diva has been treated as important as Lita and Trish Stratus when they were around. So the problem lies not with Michelle alone, but with maybe the Divas as a whole, or WWE who don't seem to think it's important that women should develop characters.

And I apologise if you disagree, but to me, Natalya screwed herself last year, to be honest. When someone like Michelle who is quite by Vince tries to give you 'advice' you should try to at least pretend to look interested instead of flipping her off. Sorry, but there's a hierarchy in WWE, no matter how accomplished a wrestler you were before that.

So yes I like her a lot and give her a lot of credit.

Sat: I'll don't really mind her name or her look. I just hate the fact that she is using the fact that she is dating the Undertaker to get ahead. While she has improved, she is still nowhere near this great wrestler she is being made out to be. I would argue that Mickie James, Kelly Kelly, and Beth Phoenix are more over than her. My main problem is the fact that when it is all said and done she will be the greatest diva of all time. Honestly, while it would have smart for Natalya to pretend to listen to Michelle, I kind of respect her for not doing so. Why would Natalya listen to somebody like Michelle when in reality it should be Natalya who should be teaching Michelle.

Uncletrunx: I think I'll maintain my diplomatic silence…

The Great Captain Smooth Writes:

Both Roads, leaning high. Low, because it's another name that's past their prime that TNA is giving more time to. High, because Tazz can work the stick, he fits in well with Joe, and he could become a mentor for some of the younger talent in the back.

Sat: We'll see how TNA acts with the World Elite. It seems like they are interested in pushing some younger talent.

Uncletrunx: The one way I could see Tazzz used is in a stable with former ECW greats, taking young wrestlers under their wing. With the WWE version of ECW almost out of ECW guys, it would be a thumb in their eye for TNA to build on the legacy of the original ECW even if they can't use the letters. Plus it could be used as a lever to get you know who back…

Cannonite Writes:

Both Roads, While it is unpopular, it could be worked into the eventual fall of the main event mafia. When TNA bookers add anyone to the Mafia that is lot a man of legendary stature or a man who is less defined in the ring and is well past their in ring prime it shows frustration. The next steps in the Mafia could lead to a splinter faction(The Nation of Violence. which brings to mind why isn't Joe just the leader of the World Elite.), or it could just be another case of NWOverkill. Tazz is not exactly the best choice, nor is he the worst. He has a fan base in many cities that TNA tours. And it could make the Mafia more credible if they have men like Taz, who have been seen on a smaller circuit in wrestling before rising to prominence first in the WWE and then TNA. Many members of the Main Event Mafia have been able to get ahead instantly including Samoa Joe. There are two members now in the main event mafia that I see as men who had to work for everything that they have achieved. One is Booker T who was constantly overlooked until the last days of WCW, only to be overlooked again until Booker's last stints with the WWE. He has wrestled on a smaller circuit, whereas Nash made it in wrestling due to friendships and Vince's fascination of big men, and Scott was instantly put into a large role due to his brother Rick, Samoa Joe may have and still is occasionally overlooked in TNA, but up until his championship reign he was handed win after win after win until the only thing that was left was to give him the world title. Kurt Angle in college wrestling is one of the greatest success stories of all time. His gold medal standing is legendary, while Kurt may have been handed success due to his gold medal, he proved he could make it in both collegiate and olympic style and then as a pro wrestler. In the WWE he proved he was worth the hype, and this success in the bigger company, made him the man in TNA. Now he may be going past relevancy.

Taz's role in the Mafia may be intriguing yet, while no one can deny the established names of the stars in the group, one must look towards the future. Taz may be the Mafia's link to the past for the future, whereas the other members focus on their own careers, Taz is through with wrestling, he only serves as a mouth piece currently, and as a promo man he is unstoppable. Taz could guide men outside of Joe such as Matt Morgan, and perhaps Eric Young and lend them some upward mobility along the way.

Taz in TNA this could be good or bad, in some ways he is not noteworthy in the least, in others he is the most valuable member. The only way to lean towards one or the other is with what TNA itself eventually decides to do with Taz.

Sat: I kind of see Tazz becoming a mentor to many wrestlers which is the probably the best use for him. I also do see the NWOverkill happening. TNA needs to be careful with this.

Uncletrunx: It could indeed go either way, but the NWOverkill is the big risk, in my opinion. Given how the Main Event Mafia is expanding, I can quite easily see it happening, with the same result it had in WCW.

JWestmoreland Writes:

High Road: granted, its money tied into someone who wont help the product in-ring, but he could help the younger wrestlers in the back, and help the commentary which seems like its just missing something.

and the person complaining about you dissing McCool sat, is insane. Gail Kim wasn't ready? I think Hannah needs to lay off the weed. Gail Kim is probably the best women's wrestler in WWE or TNA, and if nothing else, is certainly superior to McCool.

Sat: If Tazz is making huge money, then this is a definite low road. Yeah, Gail Kim was ready. She just got screwed. And another thing that I noticed is that McCool totally buried Melina as well. She got two pay per view victories over Melina, and in return McCool gives Melina two tag team victories.

Uncletrunx: *Diplomatic silence*

Z Writes:

Low Road unless they have him killing Don west and taking his place.

Sat: Don West should not be killed. He is the master salesman.

Uncletrunx: Killed is a little harsh. Hurt is enough.

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Your reasons for taking the High Road, Low Road, or Both Roads and suggestions for future High Road/Low Road are welcome at [e-mail] or in the comment section. Your reply will be included in next week's column.